Field Number One

Welcome to Clearwood High

I always had a pretty ok life, sure I had my ups and downs but my friends had my back and always made jokes about it with me. That didn't change when I started high school and people talked bad about me. I would ignore it and just hang out with Leon and Rose, my best friends. Well I also like Leon but that didn't matter, he was my friend. 

All the freshmen at Clearwood High School hung out at Woodside Park -the local park that was less than a block away from the school- on the weekends and really any chance they had after school. They brought speakers, blankets and food and just vibed. The school was located in Skyline City, a city that was infamous for producing the rich and famous. Some of the students at Clearwood were actors and models, others were the kids of famous musicians or chefs. They mostly stayed to themselves in their group and pushed away the less popular kids, the "less fortunate."

In eighth grade Leon was a part of the rich kids friend group, that was until he started to sit behind me in our second period class. We had known each other since sixth grade because of common classes but never really talked until then. At first it started with asking to borrow pencils or paper, simple things. Then it grew to me asking to drink his water because I was too lazy to walk across the class to the drinking fountain. And eventually hanging out at the mall after school and our houses. It was fun, we would play animal crossing or watch our favorite show with Rose. Then I started to develop feelings for him, Leon was always so sweet and was kind to everyone no matter how much money you had, unlike his old friends. Late eighth grade year he stopped hanging out with them and instead was with me and Rose all the time, it was nice just the three of us vs the world and nothing to stop us from being stupid other than eachother.

Me and Rose met under different circumstances, in seventh grade we ended up in the same group for our science class. At first we were both shy but once we broke out of our shells we were a force to be reckoned with. Not only did we look similar, having similar builds and hair, we had the same chaotic energy all the time. We were always loud and all over the place never being able to sit still or focus on one thing for more than ten seconds. Needless to say that teacher regretted her decision to put us in the same group. And with Leon with us now there is no chance of us surviving past college.
 
One Friday at school Leon came running up to Rose and me at our lockers, “Hey Rae, Rose, do you want to hang out at Woodside after school today?” Our lockers were conveniently right next to each other, Rose on the right, Leon in the middle, and me on the left. At lunch every day we would meet here to make plans for after school. 

“I have a softball game today, you guys are still coming to that right?” I asked as I looked towards them for confirmation.
 
“Of course we wouldn’t miss it for anything Rae!” Rose exclaims, as she finished what she was doing in her locker and closed it to look towards me and Leon.

“I meant after that so we can get ice cream and celebrate your victory, duh.” Leon looked at me like it was obvious as I closed my locker and leaned on it waiting for him so we could go eat. 

“We haven’t won yet so don’t get your hopes up Lee, the team we're playing is one of the better schools in our district so we’ll probably lose.” I said as Leon closed his locker and we started to walk into the cafeteria.

“We may have not won yet but, I know for a fact that we will with you pitching, I mean you're amazing. And not to mention the fact that when you're happy and confident the rest of the team is too, so I have faith in you Rae.” Leon finished as we sat on the bottom steps of the stairs near the cafeteria looking at each other. This was one of the many reasons that I liked Leon so much, he always believed in me whether it was if I was gonna win a softball game or do good on a test I had been stressing about. It was nice to know that he cared. 

“Ok Lee if we win we can go get ice cream then go to Woodside, but if we lose you have to buy me dinner.” I smirked knowing full well that Leon was probably gonna buy me food anyway.

“Ok deal”